When we went down 14-0 in the first quarter, all the years of being a frustrated diehard Seahawks fan came flooding back. I screamed and yelled at the ineptitude. I slammed my remote down into the couch pillow (at least I used some common sense while acting like a douche) and walked out of the room. I needed to take a breather. I got on my flight simulator and whisked myself away to some cyberland high above the cyberclouds in my cyber F4U-1D Corsair.

The sound of those pistons is like a soothing liquor being poured down my gullet.

So after a successful landing at some cyberairport, I was ready to face the music. As bad as the game was going to be, I was going to watch the rest unfold.

And unfold it did.

This team has clearly defined itself as having NO relation to those under-achieving, mediocre, Johnny-Come-Lately's of years past. Any one of those teams would have been smoked last Sunday to the tune of 35-7 or something to that effect. This team can get down, but are never, ever out.

Yet, all this week, I've had a bad feeling that the Seahawks 2012 journey will come to and end in Atlanta. I've listened to those smarter than I am go over the matchups. There are valid points to be made by both sides why they think their team will win. For me, it comes down to a few factors. Losing Clemons is HUGE. Losing Hauschka could prove to be the difference. Hopefully not, but he could be. I think the Falcons are spittin' mad over all the talk how HOT the Seahawks are and all you hear about the NFC's #1 seed is how they have failed to advance in the playoffs their past 4 tries. Our corners are the perfect kryptonite to their big receivers, but it's not their receivers I'm concerned with. Gonzalez and anybody else Trufant and our LB's will have to cover.

I think Magic Russ will still be impressive. He will find his touchdowns, and run for chunks at a time, keeping the chains moving. I also expect Lynch to have another 100+ yard performance.

It will likely be a fun, high-scoring affair by both teams, and a really fun game for the country to watch.

I'm just afraid we will fall short this Sunday. If I'm wrong, there's no crow to eat. I won't be surprised if we win. It's just been one of those years, and the magic could continue onto the NFC Championship. I'm going to go with my gut this time and say the Seahawks put up another valiant effort but fall a bit short in the points department.

Aros' Fearless Prediction: Seahawks 28 - Falcons 31

Aros' Fearless Record: 12-5

There are three certainties in life. Death, taxes and the perpetual shuffling of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line.

Me, I think the Hawks win this one. I think we jump out in front thanks to a turnover and pad out lead a little at first. 2nd quarter, the dirty birds take a lead, like 14-10. 3rd quarterthey get a FG and we score a TD. 17-17, then we start to pull away. The defense starts locking down and blitzing heavily, we get another turnover, and Russ goes all 'Mr. 4th Quarter' and puts up another couple of TDs. We win, 34-20.

Very, very similar to what I predict will happen. Beast Mode gets his...but unfortunately, Browner is the odd man out on our receivers. He failed against Julio last year, and Julio's improved, just as Browner. Sherman will likely hold his man to 60 yards or less, but if he mans on Julio, Roddy is a former state champion wrestler and is just as good (if not better) than Julio this season, so he'll do well. Just lots of weapons. I actually see this coming down to the last five minutes. Possibly the last two. Defensive goal line stands abound.

GREEDY PUNK PAUL ALLEN, THIS LOSS IS ON YOU."I don't give a crap WHAT you gotta pay, Kam is worth it and I don't want to lose a shot at another SB cuz you - a freaking BILLIONAIRE, are cheapskating Kam over a freaking $900,000.You cheapskate." SalishHawkFan SEP 13, 2015 1:47 PM

GREEDY PUNK PAUL ALLEN, THIS LOSS IS ON YOU."I don't give a crap WHAT you gotta pay, Kam is worth it and I don't want to lose a shot at another SB cuz you - a freaking BILLIONAIRE, are cheapskating Kam over a freaking $900,000.You cheapskate." SalishHawkFan SEP 13, 2015 1:47 PM

The bottom line is, Atlanta is no Green Bay, Denver or New England. Personally I think the SB could very possibly be SEA-NE. In order to make it their the games are going to get harder. We will win in Atlanta, San Francisco is going to take down Green Bay, New England and Denver will meet in the AFCC and New England will Win. We will beat San Francisco in San Fran, and meet New England in th eSuperbowl.

Aros wrote:Yet, all this week, I've had a bad feeling that the Seahawks 2012 journey will come to and end in Atlanta.

Yep. Yep. Yep. Agree with your whole post, but especially this part. And I've had that funny feeling from far before the Redskins game. Even when we were hoping a Vikings win would send us to San Francisco instead, I had a gut feeling it would unfold just the way it has so far. I'd love to be proven wrong. The Seahawks could easily prove me wrong. They're a very good team, capable of beating this Atlanta Falcons team. I just can't shake the feeling this isn't yet THE year for us.

Prove me wrong, Seahawks! Win here and win it all.

(tentatively:)

Seahawks 34Falcons 37

"The ultimate number is W's, and that’s what matters in Santa Clara. As such, Jed York does not own the 49ers; Russell Wilson does." - Paul Gutierrez

Take this as a compliment, Aros. I was gutted reading your prediction. I respect what you have to say and love your view on the Hawks. I usually read these and am fired up like hell afterwards. This one pretty much hit the deepest part of my soul. Mostly because I have the same concerns you do about Tru, Hill, Hauschka, and Tony Gonzalez.

However, I just can't bring myself to predict a loss for these guys. I promised myself I wouldn't doubt them anymore. I respect your honesty but I've gotta go with the Hawks in this one.

I have a sinking feeling that 3rd down may be the undoing of the Seattle D this week...but I also think we run all over their defense. Since its no fun to pick against the Hawks, I'm calling for a close win

The trio of Jones/White/Gonzalez is my main concern. It's something we haven't faced since last time we played the Falcons. I remain convinced that Brandon Browner is too exploitable by talented QB/WR combos.

Last edited by MontanaHawk05 on Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

Like every other game we've played this year, we are in this game. I don't expect any kind of a runaway train for either team crushing the other. I expect I'll be sitting in living room on the edge of my seat watching one of my friends try to run up from his seat to try to make that deep catch for Golden Tate just like he tried to do last week. I expect a roller coaster of a game.

The Seahawks will have to win this game on 1st and 2nd down. We've been lucky on third down a lot lately. If we have to rely on amazing Golden Tate catches or Zack Miller grabbing balls off his shoestrings we won't win this one. We need to be precise, surgical. To get to the Superbowl though, you need to be lucky in these 3rd and long situations, but we can't keep pressing our luck on it.

My prediction is 27 - 24. I find myself on the fence about who will win it though as I believe it will likely come down to whomever has the ball last. That said, with our kicker out and now starting Longwell, I think that means the game. Falcons will most likely be on top but I sure hope I'm wrong!

Last edited by BullHawk33 on Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

I'm not so sure the 10AM start time woes apply to the playoffs. I bet that most of the players hardly sleep the night before the playoff game anyways, so its not a big deal. If they can't find a way to get amped for this game then they probably deserve to lose. Seahawks 27 dirty birds 17

I was scared of this match up at first. Like most, the only thing I could think of was the match up of their offense vs. our defense, but then I thought of what Seattle likes to do offensively. Control the clock and shove it down Atlanta's throat with beast mode. ATL isn't so scary when they only have the ball 20-25 minutes. Carolina put up 58 in their two games with the Falcons. They ran for 394 yards in both of those match ups (Cam Newton accounted for 202 of those). Until Atlanta can prove they can stop Seattle from running the ball, and the read option I think Seattle wins this game 31-20.

Well this is all a bit of a surprise, with all the older hands predicting a loss.

I haven't predicted a score all year. However one thing this season has shown me is that this team is full of surprises and never lays down to die. Expectations based on team history do not seem to have any weight with this team, this year.

I thought we could well lose to the skins prior to that game, but had no such concerns about Atlanta if we got through. Still sticking with that.

I was more nervous about the Redskins game than I am about this one. The only thing that would surprise me is the Seahawks losing by more than, say, 10 points.

Luckily for us, this team doesn't have the same past baggage that we as fans do. They don't care about 29-year old playoff road win droughts. They don't seem to get worked up over early starts versus late starts. They've had their share of mistakes and hiccups - as would any young team (and make no mistake, this is a YOUNG team) - but they've improved on those as the season stretched on. And now, they're playing very good football, regardless of venue.

I think they will have gotten the postseason nerves out of their systems in that 1st quarter in DC, and I expect them to come out ready to go this Sunday. I expect there will be some big hits, some big plays, and a lot of ups and downs. The Seahawks are hungry right now, and full of confidence. The Falcons are less hungry than desperate. They've been a #1 seed before, and they know what it's like to fall short of expectations - something they'll be antsy to avoid this time. Whether the hunger and lack of pressure on the Seahawks' side can overcome the HFA and offensive firepower of the Falcons remains to be seen.

But I like Seattle's chances just as much as I did against Washington, if not more.

This has been no ordinary Season, a close loss to the Cards, Miami and even the Rams I would never had expected, games I didn't think we would lose. Then we won games vs the Cowboys, Greenbay, New England and Chicago, games we would normally have lost to in the past. We have a huge winning streak in our favor, we beat a team on the road in our first playoff win in quite a while.

I think if you look at the whole picture, see what our accomplishments are since the beginning of the season, we have a hell of a force going with this team, ready to strike out and tear these teams, limb to limb. 10 am vs the Falcons on the road? Hell, no worries here, make the game 5 am for all I care, I think our team is so pumped up from what they have accomplished so far, Matt Ryan better bring an extra jock strap. This team is for real, I BELIEVE, I know we are legit. Russell is beyond amazing, I think come time for the Atlanta game, Russell Wilson his Seattle Seahawks are going to Shock and Awe all those who bare to watch, Seattle will be feared even more so when WE DEFEAT THE FALCONS!

I'll go on record to say that I look forward to Russell Wlson going on to being the first rookie to make it to the Superbowl, because I KNOW we'll get that far. Our team can do it, no doubt in this mind whatsoever. What will make me happier about him being the first rookie to play in the Superbowl is that he is a Seahawk and he's one of us. A top notch athlete with a lot of class and skill.

Sure we suffered a few setbacks with the lost of our kicker and Clemons, but they are just a few building blocks of the success of this team. Where we weaken in one area, we step it up in another. We don't let the negative hamper our success. I can't wait to see Lynch go in afterburner mode on the Falcons. I can't wait to see Russell Wilson sling it down the field and then run for 30 years on the next play.

I have no stats to prove that we'll win, its just how I feel and believe...call me crazy, but to be a Seahawks fan, you have to have a little bit of crazy in you to be a faithful fan over the years.

Seahawks 48 (Washington is going to return it for 98+ yards on one of the kick offs...prediction)

Falcons 17

Aros wrote:When we went down 14-0 in the first quarter, all the years of being a frustrated diehard Seahawks fan came flooding back. I screamed and yelled at the ineptitude. I slammed my remote down into the couch pillow (at least I used some common sense while acting like a douche) and walked out of the room. I needed to take a breather. I got on my flight simulator and whisked myself away to some cyberland high above the cyberclouds in my cyber F4U-1D Corsair.

The sound of those pistons is like a soothing liquor being poured down my gullet.

So after a successful landing at some cyberairport, I was ready to face the music. As bad as the game was going to be, I was going to watch the rest unfold.

And unfold it did.

This team has clearly defined itself as having NO relation to those under-achieving, mediocre, Johnny-Come-Lately's of years past. Any one of those teams would have been smoked last Sunday to the tune of 35-7 or something to that effect. This team can get down, but are never, ever out.

Yet, all this week, I've had a bad feeling that the Seahawks 2012 journey will come to and end in Atlanta. I've listened to those smarter than I am go over the matchups. There are valid points to be made by both sides why they think their team will win. For me, it comes down to a few factors. Losing Clemons is HUGE. Losing Hauschka could prove to be the difference. Hopefully not, but he could be. I think the Falcons are spittin' mad over all the talk how HOT the Seahawks are and all you hear about the NFC's #1 seed is how they have failed to advance in the playoffs their past 4 tries. Our corners are the perfect kryptonite to their big receivers, but it's not their receivers I'm concerned with. Gonzalez and anybody else Trufant and our LB's will have to cover.

I think Magic Russ will still be impressive. He will find his touchdowns, and run for chunks at a time, keeping the chains moving. I also expect Lynch to have another 100+ yard performance.

It will likely be a fun, high-scoring affair by both teams, and a really fun game for the country to watch.

I'm just afraid we will fall short this Sunday. If I'm wrong, there's no crow to eat. I won't be surprised if we win. It's just been one of those years, and the magic could continue onto the NFC Championship. I'm going to go with my gut this time and say the Seahawks put up another valiant effort but fall a bit short in the points department.

Matt Ryan can be beat if we can get some pressure and make him uncomfortable. We saw what AZ did to him (would love Ray Horton as our D coordinator if Bradley leaves, btw). Unfortunately I don’t think we can bring that pressure without Clemons, Jason Jones, or blitz packages. I like Irvin but he’s not there yet.

Our corners will do fine vs their top receivers, but they will exploit the middle of the field and target any receiver/TE Trufant goes against. Either way, they’ll get their passing yards. We’ve given up career type numbers this season to lesser receivers.

Not worried about their RBs. KJ Wright has done a great job sniffing the screen and Wagner’s been in almost every play.

Back to back travel and 10 AM start could factor in, while Falcons are well rested. I see a game where Wilson and Lynch put up a great numbers but ultimately will not be enough to outscore them in a close contest.

dag nam it man. I said I was going to not respond anymore and listed my reason.

but football brother do not feel down. do not let the bad of the past take over.does it matter what we did in the past?Not on e stinking bit.have you won a SB....have we won a SB. nopeFalcons have chocked over and over again. this time though we changed things this year. got nex cordinators and schemes.

look at what you have done this season football friend.you won against teams like GB, SF, etc.who cares who you played and where it was.....I measn could you really do anything to say, "hey we need to play these other teams away please".- you take what comes.

you came from not being the team at the start to actually getting into the wildcards. being a wildcard slot is not a bad thing. just means you had a team in your division who had a better record.....but you had to face the rest of the NFC un order to get it. it was much harder to get into the wildcard then it is for a 4th slot divisional team. - anyhow, you were facing 3 other teams. once you saw you could not win your division you went on to a harder situation. and that is wildcard because you have to face not just a few teams....you have to face the rest of the NFC.

your a good person here. that is one thing to say this is going to be tough...why? playoffs are not easy. even the 7-9 worst team to ever get into the playoffs seahawks were not an easy team......Saints learned that.anyhow I say pick your self off and think about it. if you have not read the end of my post....you should.

furthermore you have a good team. if you were the 4th slot GB....no Lie but I would be ok with them saying they could lose. but with you being a wildcard means you had to fight much harder IMO.

anyhow pick yourself up. at most say this is just going to be a hard game. go watch the tape of beating the saints and say, "dang a 7-9 team can win. then watch NE, SF, heck even the cardinals.....do stay away from your already won playoff game; redskins, because that field is beyond a hatred of words to say. I hate their filed, I honestly pray they fine redskins so bad that the redskins are sold to LA.

if you dare come back and say....well I feel this or you have that and we only have this and blah blah blah I think we lose......I'm going to pull out our hickory stick in our neck of the woods and smack you until you know what you have and where you are at.